The IMDb entry says, “Jed was born in 1977 in Bellingham, Washington, USA. He was an actor, known for White Fang (1991), The Journey of Natty Gann (1985) and The Magical World of Disney. He died in June 1995 in Acton, California, USA.”

Just reading that implies that Jed lived a short life, dying at 18 years old. But, in fact, Jed lived a long life because he was a wolf-dog mix. Jed is best known for his roles in Hollywood films during the 1980s and early 1990s. With a calm, commanding presence and a natural talent for portraying both the wild and the loyal companion, Jed captivated audiences with his smarts and snugglible fuzziness.

 

Early Life

 Jed was born in 1977 at the Whatcom Humane Society in Bellingham, Washington, a mix of Northwestern Wolf and Alaskan Malamute.  His mother was a captive Vancouver Coastal Sea wolf from British Columbia’s Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. His father was an Alaskan Malamute originally from Juneau, Alaska’s Gastineau Humane Society.

Initially cared for by Gary Winkler, he was then given to Clint Rowe, a well-known animal trainer specializing in wolves and wolf-dogs. Rowe saw potential in Jed early on due to his intelligence and temperament—two qualities essential for working in the unpredictable world of film production. Unlike many animal actors who come from traditional breeding programs, Jed’s mixed heritage gave him a striking, wolf-like appearance that made him perfect for roles requiring authenticity and a touch of wildness. His calm demeanor on set and ability to take direction made him a favorite of directors and crews alike.

Career

Jed’s big break came in John Carpenter’s The Thing (1982), where he played the infected sled dog in the film’s opening scenes. His performance was essential to creating the film’s eerie tension.  Following his success in The Thing, Jed continued to build an impressive résumé, appearing in movies that highlighted his wolf-like appearance and versatile skills. He played Wolf in The Journey of Natty Gann (1985), where he traveled cross-country during the Great Depression with Meredith Salenger’s Natty Gann. This role showcased Jed’s versatility as a dangerous fighter and protector, along with being a loving companion.

Jed is probably most well-known for his role as White Fang in White Fang (1991), a take on Jack London’s classic adventure story. Jed stars alongside Ethan Hawke as two companions who must learn to survive in the wild together.

His final film appearance was in White Fang 2: Myth of the White Wolf (1994).

Legacy

 After filming White Fang 2, Jed’s age was beginning to show, and he retired from the film industry to live out his life at Clint’s animal sanctuary in Acton, California, where he lived among other trained animals. Unlike many animal actors who retired to different homes, Jed remained under the care of Rowe for his entire life. Rowe’s dedication to Jed ensured that he lived comfortably and stayed active even after his film career ended.

Jed passed away in 1995 at the age of 18, an impressive lifespan for a wolf-dog hybrid. Jed was airlifted on a small private aircraft to Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest in Washington state for his burial.

His legacy lives on through the films he starred in, where his performances continue to captivate new generations of viewers.